Blown-In Insulation in Oklahoma City, OK

Blown-in insulation is loose fiberglass or cellulose fed through a hose and spread across an attic floor or packed into closed cavities. On an open attic floor in an existing home, it is usually the least expensive way to reach a high R-value, and most Oklahoma City houses have exactly that kind of attic. The catch is that loose fill does almost nothing to stop air leaks, so we pair it with air sealing every time. Sealed first, then blown to depth, it does the job well for less money than foam.

Fiberglass or cellulose

HomeGuide lists blown fiberglass at about R-2.2 to R-2.9 per inch and cellulose at R-3.1 to R-3.8 per inch. Cellulose is made largely from recycled paper treated for fire and pests. It is denser, so it slows air a little better and reaches a given R-value in less depth. Fiberglass is lighter, does not absorb water the same way and settles less. Both work. We recommend one or the other based on the attic, the ceiling below and what is already up there.

How deep in Oklahoma City

To reach R-38, the level OG&E's Oklahoma attic rebate asks for, you need roughly 13 inches or more depending on the product, which matches OG&E's 13-inch rule. The Department of Energy recommends R-49 to R-60 in a Zone 3 attic with no insulation. We install depth rulers across the attic so you can see the finished depth for yourself, and we blow evenly out to the eaves while keeping the soffit vents clear with baffles.

When blown-in is not the right answer

If the attic is too shallow to hold the depth, if the air handler and ducts take up most of the floor, or if you are turning the attic into a sealed space, foam on the roof deck may make more sense. Blown-in also is not suited to steel buildings. We tell you when a different approach would serve you better.

Walls too

Dense-packed cellulose is also a proven way to fill closed wall cavities in older houses without tearing out drywall. That work is covered on our wall insulation page. Get a free estimate